Feb. 5: This week, the National Corn Growers Association’s Ethanol Committee met in Denver, Colo., to discuss current issues and research topics in the ethanol industry. While there, the group was updated by industry experts on ongoing programs and toured cutting-edge research facilities.

“As the regulations implementing RFS2 happened to be released during our meeting, we had some very timely discussions,” said committee Chairman Jon Holzfaster. “The meeting was incredibly informative and the entire team felt energized while exploring the incredible advances that new technology will bring the ethanol industry.”

Ethanol Committee members toured the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, where they examined numerous technologies to produce ethanol and other alcohols from corn and other sources of biomass. NREL staff updated the committee on the state of cellulosic ethanol technology and technologies to produce biocrude. During the tour, the group had the chance to see the one-ton-per-day fluidized bed reactor and the integrated biorefinery research facility.

The committee also had the opportunity to speak with industry experts. Robert White of the Renewable Fuels Association presented on blender pump expansion progress of the BYO Ethanol Campaign, which is gaining traction in several states. Mark DeVries and Greg Krissek, representing Growth Energy, updated the group on the blend wall. While there, the Committee also met with GEVO, a company operating a one million gallon per year biobutanol demonstration plant with ICM in Saint Joseph, MO.

In addition to exploring the future of the industry, the Ethanol Committee had the opportunity to discuss such current topics as the blend wall and the Renewable Fuel Standard. As Holzfaster mentioned, this proved especially timely as the regulations implementing RFS2 were released the final day of the meeting.